High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major health issue that affects almost half of all adults in the United States.
It increases the risk of serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Blood pressure is considered high if the top number (systolic) is 130 or more, or if the bottom number (diastolic) is 80 or more.
A new study from Rutgers University has found that certain groups of people are more likely to have high blood pressure that stays out of control, even when they are taking medications. The research showed that younger men and older women have the biggest problems keeping their blood pressure in a healthy range, despite being on treatment.
The researchers studied health data from more than 13,000 people who were all taking medicine for high blood pressure. This information came from a large national survey in the U.S. that ran from 1999 to 2018. They found that 34% of these people still had high blood pressure that wasn’t well managed.
When they looked more closely at age and gender, they found some big differences. In their 20s, men were 59% more likely than women to have uncontrolled blood pressure. This gap grew to 70% in their 30s and was still 47% in their 40s. So, young men clearly face a higher risk of poorly managed high blood pressure.
But things change with age. By the time people reach their 50s and 60s, men and women have similar rates of uncontrolled blood pressure. However, once they reach 70, the trend reverses. Older women are 29% more likely than men to have this problem, and in their 80s, women are 63% more likely than men to struggle with high blood pressure.
These results show that both young men and older women may need extra attention when it comes to managing their blood pressure. The researchers say that more regular check-ups and careful monitoring could help keep these groups healthier.
It’s still not clear why these differences exist. Experts think it could be related to hormones, how well medications work in different people, or even access to healthcare and habits around seeing a doctor.
The study’s message is clear: regular blood pressure checks and personalized care are very important. If you’re a man under 50 or a woman over 70, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about how well your blood pressure is being managed.
This research was led by Dr. Aayush Visaria and shared at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions. It highlights the need for a more focused and age-aware approach to treating high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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